A Hygge Holiday Is All About Peaceful, Quiet, And Cozy Surroundings
When the chill in the air invites us to bundle up, there’s a longing for warmth, comfort, and a sense of ease that feels almost magical. That’s where hygge steps in—a Danish concept about embracing coziness, connection, and finding joy in the simple moments. Whether it’s the soft glow of candlelight, a steaming cup of tea, or a gathering with loved ones, hygge reminds us to slow down and savor life’s blessings. Let's take a look a creating a hygge holiday.
Hygge, pronounced (Hoo-gah), is a Danish concept that emphasizes life's simple pleasures. As a result, you nurture feelings of warmth, well-being, and connection with yourself and others.
In a world that often feels rushed and overstimulated, hygge offers a gentle nudge to return to what truly matters: a peaceful heart, a welcoming home, and the people who make it all worthwhile. Let’s explore how you can weave hygge into your life, creating space for both inner peace and outer comfort. Grab a cozy blanket, and let’s dive in!
Danish people have used the concept of hygge to help mentally combat the brutally dark, relentless winter season and fill their homes with comfort and love.
In the last five years, the concept of hygge has become extremely popular and trending in the US and many other countries. It has been referred to as the softer, cozier counterpart to Feng Shui.
What is Hygge?
Hygge can be described as a feeling of coziness, comfort, familiarity, friendship, laughter, and seasonal homemade food and drinks. However, it’s possible to achieve hygge any time of the year (an outdoor BBQ with friends or a movie under the stars with family are excellent examples of summertime hygge).
Hygge is generally associated with the colder months because it uplifts spirits during dark, long winter months. Hygge is perfect for the upcoming holiday season because it’s all about peaceful, cozy surroundings that fill you with contentment. Here are a few simple ways to bring holiday hygge into your home this season.
It’s not just about physical surroundings but also a mindset of appreciating life’s simple joys. Hygge can involve:
- Lighting candles or enjoying soft lighting.
- Curling up with a blanket and a good book.
- Sharing a comforting meal with loved ones.
- Savoring a cup of tea by the fire.
- Engaging in meaningful, relaxed conversations.
Hygge isn't about materialism but about curating moments of presence and comfort.
Why Is Hygge Important?
Promotes Well-Being: Hygge encourages slowing down and appreciating the present moment, reducing stress, and promoting mental and emotional health.
Enhances Relationships: Sharing hygge moments with friends or family creates deeper connections and strengthens bonds.
Encourages Self-Care: It reminds us to prioritize personal comfort, relaxation, and joy daily, which is essential for maintaining harmony.
Supports Inner Peace: Hygge aligns with creating environments and experiences that nurture a sense of calm and stability, promoting overall peace.
Incorporating hygge into your life doesn’t require big changes—it’s about making intentional choices to create warmth and contentment in everyday moments. Whether it’s a cozy corner in your home or a peaceful evening walk, hygge invites us to embrace the beauty of simple living.
Hygge Facts
- Hygee is not about extravagance. It's about simplicity and intentions. No pressure to go overboard with decorating or menu planning.
- The rise in hygge in popularity worldwide influences interior design, Feng Shui, wellness, and lifestyle trends.
- Scientific support: Links cozy homes to lower stress, improved mood, and a more positive mindset.
Practical Ways to Create A Hygge Holiday
Host Family and Friends
The holidays bring many opportunities to host get-togethers for your loved ones. Be sure not to stress over these gatherings; hygge parties are relaxed, friendly, and homey.
Organize a joyful gathering to mark
Warm Lighting
Light some candles, have a fire, or set up string lights to achieve a great sense of hygge. Warm lighting is essential for a holiday hygge vibe. We incorporate a log in the fireplace with soft lighting in the room and the lights on the Christmas tree to create a cozy vibe. It makes self-care and relaxation simple.
Cozy Linens, Blankets and Textures
It is time to get out all those soft, fluffy blankets available so you can easily cuddle up with your favorite book and relax. I have my favorite flannel blanket on standby to easily grab it and get cozy.
Home Cooking and Baking
Cooking traditional holiday meals and treats brings holiday hygge into your home. Comfort foods like holiday ham, stews, savory flatbreads, cookies, and cinnamon apple pie spread soul-warming scents throughout the air. It's a great way to make your home feel cozy and cared for.
Holiday hygge is easy and comforting. Most people are already doing at least some of these simple holidays hygge hacks without even knowing it.
Now that you know the term for that warm and fuzzy feeling, you will be able to up your holiday hygge game even further.
3 Simple Ways To Make The House Smell Amazing
Your sense of smell plays a significant role in your everyday life, whether you realize it or not. Scents can change your mood and how you interact with others. They also play a significant role in recalling memories. Studies find that scent is so closely linked to memory that people can remember a scent with 65% accuracy after one year, while visual memory drops to nearly 50% after only a few months.
This is because when we smell a scent, it goes straight to the brain's olfactory bulb, which links your brain with memories.
Maybe it’s the smell of your mom’s cooking, a particular flower, or a perfume; certain scents can bring you back to a memory as if it happened just yesterday. Scents can change your mood. You can use scents to your advantage to spike your hygge holiday spirit and make your home smell amazing. Here is how to use scents:
Scented candles are an excellent way to make your home look and smell festive and inviting for the holiday season. Having lit candles around your home will add to your hygge vibe. The warm glow will make rooms feel cozy and comfortable.
Not only do candles look and feel homey, but they also smell great. Almost all stores sell scented candles these days, but for higher-quality scents, get your candles at a store that sells candles exclusively. Some holiday favorites include warm vanilla, cinnamon apple, sugar plum, and peppermint.
Diffusing essential oils also add scents to your room. You can use scents like the ones mentioned above for candles.
Fresh Greenery: another way to make your home smell amazing for the holidays is with fresh greenery. A freshly cut fir tree, a fresh wreath, or some branches from an aromatic evergreen are great ways to keep your hygge home smelling and joyful. If fresh trees and branches are not naturally available in your area, check with some of the home improvement stores. Look for some of the best-smelling evergreens: the Scotch pine, Douglas fir, white spruce, and Noble fir trees.
Baking homemade holiday treats always fills your home with sweet and savory scents. Not only is baking and cooking seasonal treats a perfect hygge activity, but it also ensures your home smells good, naturally.
If you have any traditional holiday family recipes, those will work great. Or, start a sweet-smelling conventional recipe with your loved ones. Regardless of your route, keep your home smelling festive for a relaxing hygge holiday.
I am preparing for our hygee holiday gathering by baking family recipes. The house had the sweet smell of freshly baked Christmas cookies and brownies.
Go Hygge With Your Favorite Holiday Comfort Foods & Treats
Certain foods tend to soothe and comfort us, especially in winter. Comfort foods like stews, casseroles, pot pies, homemade bread, and baked goods bring a sense of well-being and can elevate mood. During this season, I make lots of soups. My favorite is hearty minestrone. Soup warms my body and my soul.
Curling up by the fire with a warm bowl of soup and a cozy blanket can transform your day. So, break out of the slow cooker and settle for a hygge holiday filled with comfort foods and treats.
Baking and cooking are significant parts of the hygge mentality, especially with family and close friends. Keeping traditions alive using old family recipes is a hygge favorite. Using Great Grandma’s Italian biscotti recipe gives a warm, family feeling. And it is so satisfying to pass on these recipes by teaching children how to make them.
Establishing traditional family recipes of your own is also a fun holiday hygge activity. Decide together what type of comfort food you would like to learn to make. Pot pies are a big favorite in the winter months. Follow a recipe and add a few touches of your own.
Hand-write the recipe afterward and keep it in a safe place for next year. One idea is to use a designated box to keep your traditional comfort food holiday recipes. Each year, you and your family will look forward to breaking out the recipe box, remaking your favorite comfort foods, and adding in new ones.
Hygge holidays are even better when comfort foods are used to spread the holiday cheer. Gifting your favorite homemade holiday treats will surely bring a smile to anyone's face. Cookies, pies, and holiday fudge are all great choices for gift-giving.
Wrap them up in some festive cellophane for transport and add a handwritten well wishes card. Comfort meals are also thoughtful, especially when given to a friend or loved one who leads a busy lifestyle.
What better gift than not worrying about what to make for dinner that night? Comfort foods like lasagna, soups, and casseroles travel well and are easily reheated. Holiday cheer is enriched with gracious gift-giving.
Spread The Joy – Using Hygge In Gift Giving
Gift-giving is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the holiday season. Being the giver of a meaningful gift can be gratifying. Great gifts are more about the thoughtful intention behind them than the actual gift itself. A holiday hygge gift is well thought out and might include something homemade or cozy for the home.
Embracing the spirit of gift-giving should start with thinking about the person you are giving to. Look into their interests and hobbies. Think about what makes them happy. Listen for any mentions of clues as you interact with them. Ask mutual friends or family if you’re still stuck.
Once you are ready to shop, try locally owned and artisanal shops. Some have homemade gifts or art from local artists. While in the store, remember to focus on the receiver's preferences, not your own, and keep an open mind.
Wrapping your special gift is nearly as important as the gift. The wrapping is the presentation of your gift, so it should be neat and festive. Some ideas for hygge gift wrapping might be; a natural-looking and cute cardboard box, wrapping paper with snow, birds, or nature on it. You could even get creative and use a knit stocking or something seasonal to put your gift in.
Ideas for gifts that encompass the hygge concept are many. Winter hygge is all about the feeling of coziness and warmth. So, it’s no surprise that gifts for the home are at the top of the list. Textiles such as blankets, throws, and pillows make great gifts.
Warm lighting is key in a hygge home, so candles and tea light lanterns make the perfect present. Seasonal food and drinks embrace the hygge lifestyle as well. A hot cocoa kit is a fantastic idea for your chocolate-loving friend. Create the sweet gift using a thoughtful mug, a small decorative spoon, and some cocoa mix.
Or you could combine the ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe, wrap them in a basket, and include the handwritten recipe and note.
The ideas are endless for spreading the holiday cheer through hygge gift giving. After all, it’s far more joyful to give than receive.
Nancy Dadami, Inner Peace Guide | Medicine Painting Mentor | Feng Shui Specialist
I help leaders, writers, artists, and entrepreneurs passionate about growth, learning, service, and freedom. We create a life filled with abundance, self-awareness, purpose, and inner peace. Learn more here https://linktr.ee/NancyDadami